Good & Bad News For Injury Hit
Storm

Melbourne Storm received diverse injury news today with halfback Matt Orford set to miss two to three weeks and centre Aaron Moule cleared to play Manly this week.

Scans have revealed that Orford has a partial medial ligament tear in his left knee after leaving the field midway through the second stanza in Saturday night?s win over the Sharks at Olympic Park.

Whilst Orford?s injury means he will miss Melbourne?s next two matches away to Manly and the Cowboys, the news on Moule is far more pleasing for the fifth placed Storm.

After receiving accidental knees in the back early in the second half of Saturday?s match Moule immediately left the field and didn?t take any further part in the game.

However the 25-year-old centre has since been cleared of any serious injury after successfully negotiating all subsequent rehabilitation sessions.

The Storm can look forward to the possible return of three players this week with Scott Hill (shoulder), Junior Langi (shoulder) and Andrew McFadden (groin) all to be tested before Sunday?s match at Brookvale.

The Storm debut of McFadden could be particularly timely in Orford?s absence.

Orford missed five games last year courtesy of a tear in his right quadriceps but is hopeful of an early return from his current injury.
?Hopefully after plenty of rehab I can come back sooner rather than later,? Orford said.

He was also quick to sing the praises of teammate Cameron Smith who calmly filled in at halfback in the dying minutes of the match as well as slotting the final goal of the game under much pressure.

?Cam did a good job in the closing minutes, he felt comfortable so the guys didn?t lose too much there,? Orford explained.

?He?s played there (halfback) before when I was injured last year and he?s a good goal kicker so he?ll take on that role with no worries.?

Despite looking forward to some injury relief this week Melbourne still has the greatest number of injuries in the NRL, making its 4-1 start to the season a remarkable effort.

?I haven?t been involved in a side that?s had so many injuries this early in the season, we could probably field a side with all the injured guys we?ve got at the moment,? Orford added.

?Those guys that are fit are doing a great job which will make the injured guy?s task even tougher once we come back from injury. That?s going to be really good for our depth later in the year.?